Our first 2 days!

The last couple of days have been good, although tiring trying to recover from jet lag is always an adventure. We arrived yesterday morning at 6:30am and it was great to fly in Addis in daylight! We made it through the airport with all of our luggage and arrived at the guesthouse around 8:00. It is a wonderful place...we had originally booked it with the intention of having the boys with us so it has a lot more space than we need but it is good and there are a few other families here so that is always good! We caught a couple hours of sleep in the morning and then went to visit the boys in the afternoon....
I have never seen bigger smiles come out of children! They were waiting anxiously as Elsa had told them we were coming today! We got great hugs and smiles and spent about 2 hours hanging out with them and a couple of friends who were there as well. Between sharing and taking quite a bit for each of them, they went through a whole plastic container of gum! We played soccer, drawing & stickers and used the playground equipment.... Elsa told us they have been counting down the days until we come and they seem to understand that they still need to stay at the orphanage until our delay with CIC is resolved...it is so hard for me as I would rather bring them to the guesthouse. But not knowing when things will be resolved, it would be a huge risk...
Anyways, Abenezer talked more yesterday than he has any other time we had seen him so that was so good! We got great hugs when we left and huge smiles when we told them we would be coming everyday!!!

We were able to spend the evening with a couple of the families who are here as well and hear how life has been for them- and had some good greek food as well!

Today we spent a rainy afternoon with the boys. Mikias had to be woken up from his nap so he wasn't a happy camper for the first while. But stickers and a notebook helped:) It has now been 2 visits and we haven't yet pulled out the electronics!!:) That is the first thing they ask for every time! We brought along UNO and were pleasantly surprised that the 2 older boys knew how to play it - we played a few rounds with them and their friends, drew (especially Mikias - he loves to draw!), wrestled and showed them pictures of the rest of our family! We promised we would be back tomorrow and then came back to the guesthouse to try and recover from jet lag and just relax a bit.
Tomorrow holds more of the same with the addition of a skype date with my kids at home!!!! Looking forward to having everyone under one roof but social media is definitely a good in between! For all who continue to pray for us...thank you. Tonite I was reading a verse shared with me by one of my Auntie's

 So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Thankful for these moments...

Blessings,

Candra